Davina Henry, Gleaner Writer

Laughter galore was what was in store for patrons at the annual Christmas Comedy Cook-Up this year.

As with every year, there was not a sad face in the house as laughter rocked the bodies of all the patrons in the house.

Under the theme 'Jamaica 50', the event got off to a fiery start with comedian Dwight Ross. From his opening line to the point at which he departed, Ross had the audience in fits of laughter.

He invited three men to the stage then proceeded to inform them that though these things were taboo long ago, men are now free to come to an event like the comedy show and demonstrate their 'eating muscle'.

Host of the night, Miss Kitty, was once again in her usual form. Her jokes were geared towards single, independent ladies in the audience who were finding it exceedingly difficult to find a man to settle down with.

provocative jokes

Former Comedy Bus winner Rohan Gunter was not to be outdone. His provocative jokes resonated well with the audience, especially as it related to his dislike of boxing.

"Boxing is about two half-naked men in boxers fighting over a purse and a belt," he said, which had the audience in stitches.

Gunter also touched on the topic of skin complexion stating that he 'used to be black, but now me have a light complexion. When unuh tun off the light, unuh cyaan see me," he said to fits of laughter.

Newcomer Leighton Smith was also a hit with the crowd. He demanded that persons treat their mongrel dogs with more respect as they have always been around to protect.

"When tief come a unuh yard a di mongrel dawg bark and mek unuh know seh him out deh while di poodle inna di house a sleep. Unuh need fi treat di mongrel dog better."

clapped the stage

The excitement, laughter and overall hilarious show came to a lull as soon as Keisha Browney took to the stage.

The Canadian began her set by throwing free T-shirts into the audience but that did little to stop them from clapping her off the stage.

Her ill-timed and inappropriate jokes were met with resistance and she had to prematurely end her set, much to the delight of the audience.

Notwithstanding, the audience was ready for more comedians and were also receptive to singer Rozah Rose's set.

His songs, which were made popular by the Ity and Fancy Cat Show, were a big hit with the audience who sang most of them word for word.

The hilarious and provocative Kathy 'Tan Deh Deh' Grant was up next and though she had to follow some of comedy's stalwarts, she definitely held her own. She informed the audience that Jamaicans were 'extra' in everything they did.

In a no holds barred performance, Grant had audience members falling off their seats in laughter.

Although his set was a bit rough around the edges, special guest Trevor Eastman from Barbados was good. Although many of his punchlines centred around homosexuality, the audience slowly began warming to him.

One of the most outstanding performances of the night, however, was delivered by Ghana-born comedian, Trixx. His ability to build plots, creating eagerly anticipated punchlines did not disappoint the audience.

His gestures, facial expressions and actions added to his set and there was never a moment of silence without someone bursting into laughter.

As Trixx exited the stage, audience members waited with bated breath as the grand finale of Ity and Fancy Cat were up next.

Of course, the duo delivered.